Energy efficiency measures key to achieve security

THE existence of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Strategy in Brunei and the identification of EEC measures are highly important and requires collaborative effort in order to achieve energy security and sustainability.

"Brunei's current reliance on oil and gas as the sole source of energy to generate income and provide the citizens of Brunei a ready surplus of energy is not sustainable in the long run without proper EEC measures," said Dato Paduka Hj Ali Hj Apong, the Deputy Minister of Development.

He was delivering his keynote address to mark the start of the second day of the conference on alternative energy and energy efficiency yesterday at The Empire Hotel & Country Club.

"As we continue to forge to build a viable national EEC Strategy to fulfil our vision in the long term, the rationale behind the need for EEC measures is having the ability to reduce the energy demand growth rate as the economy expands," he said.

The deputy minister said that the establishment of the EEC Strategy has become vital in achieving the Vision 2035, and that there is a strong correlation between economic growth and environmental degradation which the Sultanate needs to be made aware of, so a balance can be found.

"In all ways, Brunei is just as capable as other countries that have also embarked on the same journey," he said.

This journey, the deputy minister said, is further solidified in the pledge made towards a number of regional and international declarations such as the Apec Leader's Declaration on Climate Change and the Energy Security and Clean Development.

"Our energy policy must be supportive of ecological sustainability and the related principles of a more efficient, cleaner and friendlier energy practices," he added.

The deputy minister also stressed that EEC measures will need to be thought through and planned carefully prior to its implementation especially when the current practices will need to go through modification and coupled with the existing cumulative effects of environmental degradation in meeting domestic energy consumption and infrastructural growth.

"All action points must be faced resolutely and with benchmarks available internationally, a comprehensive national audit to assess energy consumption and energy wastage is required."

"This must be supported with continual empirical or research driven sector-based assessments of energy saving potential and to consider the full range of EEC measures in terms of its technological, financial and environmental feasibility," he added.

Dato Hj Ali applauded CSPS's recent efforts in commissioning a research study on EEC, a landmark effort towards the formulation of a roadmap and guiding the EEC Strategy along with determining EEC measures with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Development, Ministry of Energy and Universiti Brunei Darussalam as part of the government's commitment to energy efficiency and conservation.

"I trust by the end of this conference, we are one step closer to making a positive difference in ensuring this vision is fulfilled," he said.

He reminded everyone that while government agencies and stakeholders will be responsible for carrying out the EEC Strategy, the role of the citizen is also equally important, and that no agency or individual can do it alone.

"The EEC strategies, standards and measures coupled with awareness campaigns should aim to send out the message that all of us play a part in conserving energy and protecting our future," he said.

Organised by the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies, the conference concluded yesterday with a focus on EEC, where guest speakers presented their papers and shared EEC strategies practised in their respective nations.

The Brunei Times